I never knew that anything can be so soothing and calming for the soul. The denser the forest was getting the more tranquility it was giving to me. After the rains it looked lusciously green with the sweet petrichor around. I had never seen a place so beautiful. It looked like some fairy world to me.
Chotu was faster than me obviously also he knew everything about the ‘Jungles’. He knew where we can get the best view, where we can take rest and also where we should not go. He knew each and every path and where it will lead us to.
“Madam Ji you know there are ruins of an old temple in these forests. Nobody knows who built it. But I sometimes go and sit there. It also have a river next to it. Very beautiful it is. It is my favourite place.”
“Oh really? Doesn’t it scare you coming and sitting there all alone.”
“No Madamji going there does not scare me. I have been there a lot of times. Whenever I feel lonely and miss my family I just come here.”
“What about the wild animals? what about the leopards? If it is next to the river. you must have seen a lot of animals there”
“Yes Madam ji. I once had an encounter with a leopard too!” he exclaimed. I could see the excitement in his eyes as he narrated the whole event.
” Madam ji he was right there on the other side of the river. I looked at him in his eyes but it did not scare me. He was just thirsty so he drank water and left. I stood still there for almost thirty minutes after it left. I thought it will attack me but it did not. I really respect him a lot now Madam ji.”
“You are really brave. Even after that incident you went back to this place.”
“Yes Madam ji but please do not tell about all this to Manager Saab. He will scold me for it.”
I looked at his face and could see how much those ruins meant to him. “Okay I will not. But you will have to show me that place too. I am now very much eager to go there.”
“Yes! I will!” He looked more than happy to show me that place.
– Sweta
Stumbled Thoughts 
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